Tuesday, January 29, 2013

AMATEUR SHARES LEAD IN OPEN IFQ IN AUSTRALIA

FROM THE PGA OF AUSTRALASIA WEBSITE
West Australian Stephen Dartnall and amateur Cameron Smith lead after the first round of International Final Qualifying (IFQ) Australasia at Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne's sand belt.
The pair are one step closer to a start in The Open Championship at Murifield in July thanks to their rounds of 5-under 67.
At the conclusion of the 36 hole qualifying tournament the top-3 on the leaderboard will earn a start in the oldest golf Championship in the world.
Experiencing a return to form, Dartnall was pleased with his score after a conservative round.
“I have been hitting the ball pretty well and just slowly working around the course - no heroics or anything too exciting, which is a good way to play,” said Dartnall who has finished in the top-10 twice from his last three starts on the PGA Tour of Australasia.
“When there is only three spots for 70 guys, I guess you attack a little bit more but you still play pretty conservatively especially on a course like this.”
Dartnall, who has previously competed on the Web.Com Tour, is aiming to play in just his first Major.
“I have never played a Major so it would be fantastic.”
“Getting into the event is only the very start of it - obviously it’s good to play them but you want to get there and play well”
Also aiming for his first Major appearance this week is Queenslander Cameron Smith.
“To win a couple of weeks ago was definitely a confidence booster,” said Smith, who comes into IFQ fresh from winning the Australian Amateur Championship.
“It's my dream to win the British Open, so to play in it would be incredible. Just the history of it, I'm into that stuff.”
Finishing a shot behind Dartnall and Smith was Steven Jeffress (QLD), Anthony Summers (NSW) and Adam Bland (SA).
Rounding out the top-5 on 3-under the card are Victorians Peter Wilson, David McKenzie, Anthony Brown, Scott Laycock, Matthew Griffin and New Zealand’s Ryan Fox.
The second and final round of IFQ will get underway at 7.30am at Kingston Heath Golf Club with the leaders off at 9.25am.

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